Methods and Systems for Pairing Electronic Devices Based Upon Proximity

ABSTRACT

A device includes a wireless communication circuit and one or more processors operable with the wireless communication circuit. The wireless communication circuit receives one or more local area wireless communication signals identifying one or more external electronic devices operating within an environment of the device. The one or more processors select a local area wireless communication signal having a power magnitude experiencing a highest amount of change from the one or more local area wireless communication signals and perform a pairing operation with an external device identified by the local area wireless communication signal.

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application claiming priority andbenefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from U.S. application Ser. No. 16/195,474,filed Nov. 19, 2018, which is incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to electronic devices, and moreparticularly to electronic devices with wireless communicationcapabilities.

BACKGROUND ART

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones, are becoming ubiquitous.These devices sometimes offer increased functionality when incommunication with other electronic devices across a network. It wouldbe advantageous to have improved methods and systems for establishingcommunication with other electronic devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one explanatory system in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates one explanatory schematic block diagram of oneexplanatory electronic device in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates one explanatory electronic device, operating inaccordance with one or more method steps, each in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates one explanatory electronic device, operating inaccordance with one or more method steps, each in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates one explanatory method in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates one explanatory electronic device, operating inaccordance with one or more method steps, each in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with thepresent disclosure, it should be observed that the embodiments resideprimarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus componentsrelated to measuring changes in received power when performing one ormore of discovering other electronic devices, pairing with otherelectronic devices, or communicating with other electronic devices toelect one electronic device for discovering, pairing, or communication.Any process descriptions or blocks in flow charts should be understoodas representing modules, segments, or portions of code that include oneor more executable instructions for implementing specific logicalfunctions or steps in the process. Alternate implementations areincluded, and it will be clear that functions may be executed out oforder from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrentlyor in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved.Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have beenrepresented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings,showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understandingthe embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure thedisclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Embodiments of the disclosure do not recite the implementation of anycommonplace business method aimed at processing business information,nor do they apply a known business process to the particulartechnological environment of the Internet. Moreover, embodiments of thedisclosure do not create or alter contractual relations using genericcomputer functions and conventional network operations. Quite to thecontrary, embodiments of the disclosure employ methods that, whenapplied to electronic device and/or wireless communication technology,improve the functioning of the electronic device itself by solvingwireless communication problems arising exclusively in the wirelesscommunication field.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the disclosure describedherein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors andunique stored program instructions that control the one or moreprocessors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processorcircuits, some, most, or all of the functions of detecting a highestchange in received power as another electronic device approaches toselect the device delivering the highest change, per unit of time, for apairing or other communication operation as described herein. Thenon-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radioreceiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, powersource circuits, and user input devices. As such, these functions may beinterpreted as steps of a method to perform power consumption control inan electronic device during wireless communications. Alternatively, someor all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has nostored program instructions, or in one or more application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinationsof certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course,a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods andmeans for these functions have been described herein. Further, it isexpected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possiblysignificant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example,available time, current technology, and economic considerations, whenguided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readilycapable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICswith minimal experimentation.

Embodiments of the disclosure are now described in detail. Referring tothe drawings, like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views. Asused in the description herein and throughout the claims, the followingterms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includesplural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Relationalterms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or actionwithout necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationshipor order between such entities or actions.

As used herein, components may be “operatively coupled” when informationcan be sent between such components, even though there may be one ormore intermediate or intervening components between, or along theconnection path. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, inanother embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and inanother embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly and notnecessarily mechanically. Also, reference designators shown herein inparenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one indiscussion. For example, talking about a device (10) while discussingfigure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figure other thanfigure A.

Many modern electronic devices are being produced without visibledisplays. Voice assistant devices, wireless loudspeaker devices, set topboxes, network routers, some desktop computers, and other devices seldominclude a visible display. While not including a display, these devicesinvariably require network connectivity for proper operation.Illustrating be example, to play music from a smartphone on a wirelessloudspeaker, either the smartphone will need to be paired with thewireless loudspeaker, or each of the smartphone or wireless loudspeakerwill need to be paired with a wireless communication intermediary, suchas a router or Bluetooth.sup.™ device. Since there is no display, it canoften be difficult to select which device to pair or manipulate settingsand controls in such devices, as it can be challenging to know where inthe pairing process one is when that process requires a series of steps.

Embodiments of the disclosure advantageously provide a solution to thisproblem by providing simple, intuitive methods and systems for selectingan electronic device with which to perform a discovery, pairing, orcommunication operation. In one or more embodiments, a wirelesscommunication circuit of an electronic device receives local areawireless communication signals from one or more external electronicdevices operating within an environment of the electronic device.

When more than one signal is received, one or more processors in theelectronic device determine a change in a power magnitude, across apredefined amount of time, of local area wireless communication signalsreceived from the external electronic devices. Embodiments of thedisclosure contemplate that the change in power magnitude of energyreceived, per unit of time, dramatically increases as an external devicemoves toward an electronic device. While the change in power magnitudemay initially increase as the inverse of the distance squared changes,when the external electronic device gets close enough the exponentialincreases. Thus, the change in the power magnitude may increase as theinverse of the distance cubed, the inverse of the distance to the fourthpower, and so forth. Accordingly, if three external electronic devicesare in a room with an electronic device, and two are stationary whileone is moving rapidly toward the electronic device, the change in powermagnitude received from the one moving rapidly toward the electronicdevice will dramatically increase, while the change in the powermagnitude from the other electronic devices remains effectively zero.

As such, in one or more embodiments the one or more processors of theelectronic device identify an external electronic device delivering awireless communication signal exhibiting a maximum change in powermagnitude across time (maximum change per time interval). It should benoted that this measured rate of change in power amplitude perpredefined interval of time could be due to a device to be paired movingtoward a host device, or conversely due to the host device being movedtoward a device to be paired. It matters not which device is moving, butrather that the distance between the two devices is getting shorter.Regardless of which device is moving, where this change in the powermagnitude is positive, the one or more processors of the electronicdevice cause the wireless communication device to perform a pairingoperation with the external electronic device delivering the wirelesscommunication signal exhibiting the maximum change in power magnitudemeasured as a rate of change in power amplitude per predefined intervalof time.

Advantageously, a person who wants to pair a wireless loudspeaker with asmartphone can simply move the wireless loudspeaker toward thesmartphone. Regardless of what other external electronic devices areoperating within the environment of the smartphone, when this occurs,one or more processors will detect a significant increase in powermagnitude across a particular time interval from the wirelessloudspeaker while changes in power magnitudes from other externalelectronic devices are lower or are zero. For instance, if thesmartphone makes a one-second power measurement every two seconds, ineach repeated measurement the magnitude of the power across the onesecond interval will be larger than the last. The one or more processorsof the smartphone can then automatically, as a function of detecting therate of change in power magnitude, e.g., a rate of change in amplitudeper designated time interval, from the wireless loudspeaker being themaximum, identify the wireless loudspeaker as one with which adiscovery, pairing, or communication operation should be performed. Inthis illustration, the one or more processors could cause the wirelesscommunication device of the smartphone to perform a pairing operationwith the wireless loudspeaker.

It should be noted that embodiments of the disclosure are not directedto determining which external electronic device operating within theenvironment of an electronic device delivers the highest amount ofabsolute power to the electronic device. Said differently, embodimentsof the disclosure do not merely make a Received Signal Strength (RSS)measurement, a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurement, aReference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement, or othermeasurement. Instead, embodiments of the disclosure measure a change inpower, which can be one of these measurements or another, per predefinedinterval of time. Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that somedevices, such as routers, may always transmit more power than, say, awireless loudspeaker. Thus, if only raw power measurements were used,the router would always deliver more power than the loudspeaker.However, by measuring a change in RSS, RSSI, RSRP, or other levelsmeasured as a rate of change in power amplitude per predefined intervalof time, embodiments of the disclosure can determine which one changesthe most during a predefined time duration. This change in power acrossa designated time interval is what indicates the movement of an externalelectronic device toward the electronic device, not absolute power.

In one or more embodiments, a confirmation of the selection can berequired. Illustrating by example, one or more sensors of the smartphonemay detect a confirmation operation after identifying the wirelessloudspeaker as having a maximum change in power magnitude measured as arate of change in power amplitude per predefined interval of time. Oneexample of a confirmation operation is a touch along a touch sensor.Thus, a user may identify the wireless loudspeaker as the device withwhich the smartphone should perform the pairing operation my moving thewireless loudspeaker toward the smartphone and then touching a touchsensitive surface of the smartphone. Other examples of confirmationoperations include stopping the movement of the external electronicdevice toward the electronic device, speaking audible commands to theelectronic device, or combinations thereof. Still other examples ofconfirmation operations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill inthe art having the benefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated therein is one explanatory system 100configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure.In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 is configured as anInternet of Things (IoT) hub. Where so configured, the electronic device100 includes a communication circuit configured for wired or wirelesscommunication with various devices, as well as one or more processorsthat are operable with the communication device. The electronic device100 can be operable with, and can control, IoT devices that are incommunication with the communication circuit. For example, theelectronic device can receive inputs and/or control settings from one ormore IoT devices, and can control the IoT devices in response tointernally created or externally received commands.

As used herein, an IoT device is an electronic device having a uniqueidentity, and which is configured for wireless and/or wiredcommunication across a network such as a local area network or a widearea network such as the Internet. Each IoT device can include its owncircuitry, including processor(s), memory device(s), user interfaces,control circuits, and/or output device(s) that perform a function inresponse to control signals from the IoT hub and/or relative to usersand/or mobile devices communicating with the IoT devices.

It should be noted that the electronic device 101 is configured as anIoT hub for illustration and explanatory purposes. While an IoT hub isone example of an electronic device configured in accordance with one ormore embodiments of the disclosure, the methods and systems describedherein are suitable for use for any number of other electronic devices.The methods and systems described herein are particularly well suitedfor electronic devices that are devoid of visible displays. In thisillustrative embodiment, the electronic device 101 is devoid of adisplay.

Turning briefly to FIG. 2, illustrated therein is one explanatoryschematic block diagram 200 of electronic device (100). In oneembodiment, the electronic device (100) includes one or more processors201. The one or more processors 201 are operable with the variouscomponents of the electronic device (100). The one or more processors201 can include a microprocessor, a group of processing components, oneor more ASICs, programmable logic, or other type of processing device.The one or more processors 201 can be configured to process and executeexecutable software code to perform the various functions of theelectronic device (100).

A storage device, such as memory 202, can optionally store theexecutable software code used by the one or more processors 201 duringoperation. The memory 202 may include either or both static and dynamicmemory components, may be used for storing both embedded code and userdata. The software code can embody program instructions and methods tooperate the various functions of the electronic device devicesconfigured in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, and also toexecute software or firmware applications and modules. The one or moreprocessors 201 can execute this software or firmware, and/or interactwith modules, to provide device functionality.

The one or more processors 201 can be responsible for performing theprimary functions of the electronic devices configured in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Executable software codeused by the one or more processors 201 can be configured as one or moremodules 209 that are operable with the one or more processors 201. Suchmodules 209 can store instructions, control algorithms, and so forth.

In this illustrative embodiment, the schematic block diagram 200 alsoincludes a wireless communication circuit 203 that can be configured forwired or wireless communication with one or more other devices ornetworks. The wireless communication circuit 203 can include wirelesscommunication circuitry, one of a receiver, a transmitter, ortransceiver, and one or more antennas 204. In one or more embodiments,the wireless communication circuit 203 is capable of communicating withone or more remote devices across a wide area network, local areanetwork, small local area network (piconet), or personal area networks.

Examples of wide area networks include GSM, CDMA, W-CDMA, CDMA-2000,iDEN, TDMA, 2.5 Generation 3GPP GSM networks, 3rd Generation 3GPP WCDMAnetworks, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, and 3GPP2 CDMAcommunication networks, UMTS networks, E-UTRA networks, GPRS networks,iDEN networks, and other networks. Examples of local area networksinclude HomeRF, Bluetooth.sup.™, and IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g or n) or othersimilar Wi-Fi networks. Examples of ad hoc peer-to-peer networks includethe one-hop and two-hop communication networks, with the former beingreferred to as a “piconet.”

In one or more embodiments, the wireless communication circuit 203 caninclude a local area network front end 205 and a wide area networkcommunication front end 206. The local area network front end 205 can beconfigured to communicate using multiple types of local area networkcommunication protocols. For example, the local area network front end205 can include both a Wi-Fi circuit and another local area wirelesscommunication circuit. The Wi-Fi circuit can, in one embodiment,communicate via an IEEE 802.11 protocol, while the other local areawireless communication circuit can, in one embodiment, communicate witha communication protocol other than the 802.11 standard.

In one or more embodiments, the local area network front end 205 isconfigured to operate in accordance with a predefined discovery protocolby an electronic device (100) can search for other devices. In one ormore embodiments, when operating in a discovery mode using the discoveryprotocol, the wireless communication circuit 203 can scan for devicesthat broadcast their identities in accordance with the predefineddiscovery protocol, i.e., at predefined times, on predefined channels,and in accordance with predefined communication protocol parameters. Inone or more embodiments, communications under the predefined discoveryprotocol occur at the application layer of the stack.

One example of such a communication protocol with such a predefineddiscovery protocol is the Bluetooth.sup.™ communication protocol. Whenoperating in the predefined discovery protocol, Bluetooth.sup.™ devicesexecute one or more steps that include broadcasting a local device name,as well as storing the names of remote devices received in accordancewith the protocol. The Bluetooth.sup.™ discovery protocol can alsoinclude filtering and processing device names. These filtered and/orprocessed device names can then be further processed by the one or moreprocessors 201 in accordance with one or more method steps.

While Bluetooth.sup.™ is one explanatory communication protocol suitablefor use with embodiments of the disclosure, embodiments are not solimited. Any local area network communication protocol that includes apredefined device discovery protocol operating at the application layerof the stack can be substituted and used with method steps and systemcomponents set forth here. Illustrating by example, in anotherembodiment the predefined device discovery protocol employs broadcastSSID data in a Wi-Fi network. In yet another embodiment, the predefineddevice discovery protocol comprises a Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) protocol. Accordingly, other such communication protocols will beobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

In one or more embodiments the one or more processors 201 can cause thewireless communication circuit 203 to execute a discovery protocol toestablish communications with another electronic device. The one or moreprocessors 201 can cause the wireless communication circuit 203 toexecute pairing processes to pair other electronic devices to theelectronic device 100. The one or more processors 201 can cause thewireless communication circuit 203 to execute communication operationswith other electronic devices as well.

The one or more processors 201 can also be operable with othercomponents. The other components can include input components 207, suchas a touch sensor, an acoustic detector, one or more microphones, imagecapture devices, or other input devices. The input components 207 canalso include one or more proximity sensors to detect the presence ofnearby objects. The input components 207 may include video inputcomponents such as optical sensors, mechanical input components such asbuttons, touch pad sensors, touch-sensitive surfaces, capacitivesensors, motion sensors, and switches. Similarly, the other componentscan include output components 208 such as audio and/or mechanicaloutputs. Other examples of output components 208 include audio outputcomponents such as speaker ports or other alarms and/or buzzers and/or amechanical output component such as vibrating or motion-basedmechanisms. The other components may further include an accelerometer toshow vertical orientation, constant tilt and/or whether the device isstationary.

A power change determination circuit 210 can be configured to determinea change in a power magnitude of local area wireless communicationsignals received from external devices. In one or more embodiments, thepower change determination circuit 210 can measure a power magnitude orpower level associated with one or more local area wirelesscommunication signals received by the wireless communication circuit203. Illustrating by example, the power change determination circuit 210can, in one or more embodiments, perform a RSS measurement, a RSSImeasurement, a RSRP measurement, or other measurement. Thereafter, thepower change determination circuit 219 can perform a plurality ofadditional RSS measurements, a plurality of additional RS SImeasurements, a plurality of additional RSRP measurements, or aplurality of additional other measurements to determine how themeasurement changes across a predetermined amount of time.

For example, in one embodiment the power change determination circuit210 makes a plurality of RSS measurements across a period of tenseconds. By comparing each of the plurality of RSS measurements acrossthis time period, the power change determination circuit 210 candetermine how much the RSS of a particular local area wirelesscommunication signal has changed during a selected time interval. Thisprocess can continue across a desired period or set of periods to allowthe power change determination circuit 210 to compare the variouschanges in power magnitude per unit of time for all received local areawireless communication signals to determine which has the maximum changeacross an amount of measured time. As will be described in more detailbelow, the one or more processors 201 can then identify an externalelectronic device having a local area wireless communication signalexperiencing the highest change in power magnitude across an amount ofmeasured time as one with which the electronic device (100) should pair.Accordingly, from this highest change in power magnitude during a giventime interval, where that change is positively increasing, i.e., theexternal electronic device is moving toward the electronic device (100)and not away from it, the one or more processors 201 can cause thewireless communication circuit 203 to perform a pairing operation withthe external electronic device.

It is to be understood that the electronic device (100) of FIG. 1 andthe schematic block diagram 200 of FIG. 2 are provided for illustrativepurposes only and for illustrating components of explanatory electronicdevices configured in accordance with one or more embodiments of thedisclosure. Neither figure is intended to represent a complete schematicdiagram of the various components required for an electronic device.Therefore, other electronic devices in accordance with embodiments ofthe disclosure may include various other components not shown in FIG. 2,or may include a combination of two or more components or a division ofa particular component into two or more separate components, and stillbe within the scope of the present disclosure.

Turning now back to FIG. 1, as shown, one or more external electronicdevices 102,103,104 are operating within an environment 105 of theelectronic device 101. Here the external electronic devices 102,103,104are each configured as IoT devices. Some examples of IoT devices includecontrollable lights and light fixtures, smart television sets, smokealarms, electronic thermostats, security systems, camera systems,entertainment systems, plumbing systems, HVAC systems, appliances,culinary devices, and so forth. Numerous other IoT devices will beobvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure. Also, as the numbers and types of IoT devices continue toexpand, embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that new features andenhancements will be developed with which IoT devices can interact withmobile devices or adapt their behavior depending on commands receivedfrom the IoT hub.

In one or more embodiments, the electronic device 100 operating as theIoT hub is devoid of any display. Since the IoT hub does not have adisplay, it can be difficult to efficiently pair new IoT devices withthe hub. Moreover, when multiple new IoT devices need to be paired withthe IoT hub, it can be inconvenient to select one over another due tothe lack of a display from which to select a particular device. While itmay be possible to introduce a third device having a display, such as asmartphone, to “mediate” the pairing process, this is inconvenient andremoves the ability for the IoT hub or new IoT device to be marketedwith the desirable “pair without a phone” designation.

Accordingly, embodiments of the disclosure provide for aproximity-triggered method using a local area network communicationsignal 106, such as a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) signal profile receivedfrom, for example, an IoT device to select the IoT device for pairingand setup while filtering out, i.e., not selecting, other IoT devicesoperating within the environment of an IoT hub.

In one or more embodiments, this is a two-step process. First, the IoThub detects a maximum change in a power magnitude of energy receivedfrom an IoT device during a measured interval window due to that IoTdevice being moved toward the IoT hub. Second, a user optionallyperforms a confirmation operation to confirm that a pairing operationshould occur. As noted above, and as will be described below withreference to FIG. 4, examples of pairing operations include stopping themotion of the IoT device moving toward the IoT hub, delivering touchinput to a touch sensor of the IoT hub, speaking an audible command tothe IoT hub, or combinations thereof. Still other examples ofconfirmation operations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill inthe art having the benefit of this disclosure.

In this illustration, the electronic device 101 is in communication withone or more of the external electronic devices 102,103. In one or moreembodiments, the electronic device 101 receives one or more local areawireless communication signals from the external electronic devices102,103 while in operation.

In this illustration, the external electronic devices 102,103 are alsoin communication with remote electronic devices 108,109,110 across anetwork through a communication hub 107, shown here as a router. Theseremote electronic devices 108,109,110 can be “cloud” servers thatdeliver data through the communication hub 107 to effect services at thevarious external electronic devices 102,103. Illustrating by example,remote electronic device 108 may be a cloud-based, music streamingservice that delivers music through the communication hub 107 toexternal electronic device 102, which may be a wireless loudspeaker inone instance. In this example the electronic device 101, operating as anIoT hub, acts as a control gateway for each of the external electronicdevices 102,103 by connecting each external electronic device 102,103 tothe proper remote electronic device 108,109,110, where applicable. Theelectronic device 101 also delivers control signals 111 to the externalelectronic devices 102,103 to control the same. These control signals111 can cause the external electronic devices 102,103 to startfunctioning, cease functioning, select content for delivery, adjustsettings such as volume, brightness, contrast, treble, and bass, and soforth.

In this example, external electronic device 104 is a new device that auser has purchased and placed within the environment of the electronicdevice 100. External electronic device 104 has not yet been paired withelectronic device 101. However, the user desires to “pair” and/or sharedata or credentials with external electronic device 104 with electronicdevice 100. In one or more embodiments this pairing or data sharingprocess includes engaging, with a wireless communication circuit ofelectronic device 100, in a pairing procedure to establish apeer-to-peer wireless communication link with external electronic device104. Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated therein are one or more methodsteps for performing this pairing operation.

As shown in FIG. 3, external electronic device 104 is operating withinan environment 105 of electronic device 100. Desiring to pair theexternal electronic device 104 with electronic device 100, a user 301 ismoving 302,303 the external electronic device 104 toward electronicdevice 100 in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

While this occurs, electronic device 100 receives, with its wirelesscommunication circuit, one or more local area wireless communicationsignals 304 from the external electronic device 104. Only one externalelectronic device, i.e., external electronic device 104, is shown inFIG. 3 for ease of illustration. However, were there more externalelectronic devices operating within the environment 105, the wirelesscommunication circuit of electronic device 100 would receive multiplelocal area wireless communication signals from these external electronicdevices.

As the external electronic device 104 is moving 302,303, the powerchange determination circuit of electronic device 100 determines changes305,306 in power magnitudes of the received local area wirelesscommunication signal 304 during a measurement window. As the externalelectronic device 104 moves closer to electronic device 100, thesechanges 305,306 increase rapidly, and at an increasing rate compared towhen device separation was larger. Illustrating by example, the change305 in power magnitude across a predefined amount of time while theexternal electronic device 104 moves 302 from a far location 307 fromthe electronic device 100 to a mid-distance location 308 from theelectronic device 100 is far smaller than the change 306 in powermagnitude across the same predefined amount of time while the externalelectronic device 104 moves 303 from the mid-distance location 308 to anear location 309 from the electronic device 100.

In one or more embodiments, the received local area wirelesscommunication signals 3043 comprise Wi-Fi signals. Accordingly, thepower change determination circuit of electronic device 100 is lookingfor a maximum “rate of change” in received Wi-Fi power to select anexternal electronic device with which to pair by selecting the localarea wireless communication signal experiencing a highest change inpower magnitude, measured as a rate of change in power amplitude perpredefined interval of time, and then identifying the externalelectronic device, here external electronic device 104, that isdelivering the local area wireless communication signal 304. After thisselection, the electronic device 100 can perform a pairing operationwith external electronic device 104.

Advantageously, the rate of change of detected power from the externalelectronic device 104 can be used to sort which external electronicdevice is closer than others as the user 301 approaches electronicdevice 100 with external electronic device 104. This is true regardlessof which external electronic device transmits with the highest absolutepower. Embodiments of the disclosure do not rely upon absolute powerbecause each external electronic device may emit different amounts ofpower. As such, embodiments of the disclosure rely upon changes in powermagnitude measured as a rate of change in power amplitude per predefinedinterval of time.

At far-field distances, e.g., when the external electronic device 104 isat the far location 307, the power of the local area wirelesscommunication signal 304 varies as the external electronic device 104moves 302 as a function of 1/r.sup.2, where “r” is the distance betweenthe electronic device 100 and the external electronic device 104.Accordingly, moving 302 the external electronic device 104 nearer toelectronic device 100 will result in a higher relative increase in powerduring a time measurement interval at electronic device 100 than forexternal electronic devices that are farther from electronic device 100.

However, as the external electronic device 104 moves to the mid-distancelocation 308, which can be in the range of thirty centimeters dependingupon device size, the exponent on this distance changes. In particular,the exponent increases to a value higher than two. Accordingly, therelative change in detected power becomes even more pronounced. In thisway, electronic device 100 can interact with the user 301 in real timeto identify external electronic device 104 with which further actionshould be taken.

With external electronic device 104 identified, electronic device 100can perform a discovery, pairing, or communication operation withexternal electronic device 104. Illustrating by example, in oneembodiment electronic device 100 can share network or communicationcredentials, e.g., a router password. Once electronic device 100 ispaired with external electronic device 104, the IoT hub can controlexternal electronic device 104 using associated applications retrievedfrom clouds servers, and so forth.

Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that the local area wirelesscommunication signals 304 are received by electronic device 100 directlyfrom external electronic device 104, and not through an intermediatedevice such as a router. Continuing the example of sharing network orcommunication credentials during pairing, if external electronic device104 had delivered signals to electronic device 100 through a routerrather than directly, external electronic device 104 would already bepaired with electronic device 100 through the router and would neitherneed to be paired again nor receive the network or communicationcredentials.

As an alternative to electronic device 100 detecting changes in receivedpower across time, in other embodiments the external electronic device104 could broadcast its output power level. When electronic device 100receives these transmissions, one or more processors of electronicdevice 100 would be able to calculate a link margin corresponding to thedistance between electronic device 100 and external electronic device104. In one embodiment when electronic device 100 is so close toexternal electronic device 104 that the two are almost touching,electronic device 100 should measure a power level similar to thebroadcast level. When levels are close, electronic device 100 couldinitiate a pairing, discovery, or communication operation with externalelectronic device 104.

Embodiments of the disclosure contemplate that when the user 301 is atthe far location 307, power received by electronic device 100 fromexternal electronic device 104 will follow the Friis transmissionformula, generally given as follows:

P.sub.R=P.sub.T*((G.sub.R*G.sub.T*λ.sup.2)/((4*π).sup.2*r.sup.2)   EQ. 1

where P.sub.T is the transmission power of external electronic device104, G.sub.R and G.sub.T are the antenna gains of receive and transmitantennas, respectively, λ the operating wavelength, and r is thedistance separating receiver from transmitter. Assuming the transmitpower of each device remains constant during the movement 302,303 of theuser 301, and that all respective antenna gains remain constant, thepower that electronic device, 100 receives from each external electronicdevice can be expressed as a simple constant relationship with distance,as below:

P.sub.R,n=K.sub.n//(r.sub.n).sup.2), where Kis an integer (1, 2, 3,etc.)   EQ. 2

Writing the ratios of final and initial received powers at the user'slocation for each device gives the following:

R.sub.1=P.sub.(R,1,f)/P.sub.(R,1,i)=K.sub.1*(r.sub.(1,i)).sup.2/K.sub.1*(r.sub.(1,f)).sup.2=(r.sub.(1,i)/r.sub.(1,f)).sup.2  EQ. 3

and

R.sub.2=P.sub.(R,2,f)/P.sub.(R,2,i)=K.sub.2*(r.sub.(2,i)).sup.2/K.sub.2*(r.sub.(2,f)).sup.2/K.sub.2*(r.sub.(2,f)).sup.2=(r.sub.2,i/r.sub.2,f).sup.2  EQ. 4

where i and f denote initial and final values, respectively, before andafter the user's movement. The ratio of these ratios is written asfollows:

metric=R.sub.1/R.sub.2=((r.sub.(1,i)*r.sub.(2,f)/(r.sub.(1,i)*r.sub.(2,f)))/.sup.2  EQ. 5

From FIG. 3, the following is clear:

R.sub.(2,i)=r.sub.(1,i)+D   EQ. 6

and

R.sub.(2,f)=r.sub.(1,f)+D

where D is the initial distance between the devices. Thus:

Metric=[(r.sub.(1,i)*(r.sub.(1,f)+D))/(r.sub.(1,f)*(r.sub.(1,i)+D))].sup.2  EQ. 7

Further, since:

r.sub.(1,f)=r.sub.(1,i)+d   EQ. 8

where d is the change in distance from the initial position of a deviceto the final position of that device, then:

metric=[(r.sub.(1,i)*(r.sub.(1,i)+d+D))/((r.sub.(1,i)+d)*(r.sub.(1,i)+D))].sup.2  EQ. 9

which yields

[(r.sub.(1,i).sup.2+(d+D)*r.sub.(1,i))/(r.sub.(1,i).sup.2+(d+D)*r.sub.(1,i)+d*D)].sup.2  EQ. 10

Where both d and D are positive, as geometrically postulated, thismetric is always less than one. By monitoring whether this metric isless or greater than one, it is thus possible for the one or moreprocessors of electronic device 100 to determine which externalelectronic device is closer as user 301 moves 302,303 that externalelectronic device toward electronic device 100. It should be noted thatthis will be true for any other inverse-distance relationship, even withan exponent different than 2, as can be seen in EQ. 10. Thus, forexample, if the user 301 enters the near location 309 with multipleexternal electronic devices, the metric set forth by EQ. 10 will stillenable the one or more processors of electronic device 100 todifferentiate which one is closer.

In one or more embodiments, after the one or more processors ofelectronic device 100 have identified external electronic device 104 asdelivering the local area wireless communication signal 304 experiencingthe highest change in power magnitude for a selected duration, aconfirmation operation 310 is required prior to performing any controloperation such as performing a discovery operation with externalelectronic device 104, performing a pairing operation with externalelectronic device 104, performing a communication operation withexternal electronic device 104, or performing another operation withexternal electronic device 104. This confirmation operation 310, whereincluded, provides a secondary check to ensure such a control operationshould be performed.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrating therein are three different examplesof confirmation operations 310. Other examples will be obvious to thoseof ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Inone or more embodiments, the electronic device 100 performs a controloperation only when the confirmation operation 310 is detected.

In a first embodiment, the confirmation operation 310 comprisesreceiving touch input 401 at a touch sensor of the electronic device100. Thus, in one embodiment the electronic device 100 performs acontrol operation with an external electronic device selected asdelivering a local area wireless communication signal experiencing ahighest change in power magnitude when measured for a particular periodonly after receiving the touch input 401.

In another embodiment, the confirmation operation 310 comprisesdetecting a cessation of the change in the power magnitude of the onelocal area wireless communication signal. This can be caused when theuser 301 ceases 403 moving the external electronic device 104 at thenear location 309. Thus, in one embodiment the electronic device 100performs a control operation with an external electronic device 104selected as delivering a local area wireless communication signalexperiencing a highest change in power magnitude across time only afterdetecting the cessation of the change in the power magnitude. Thus, inthis example, in addition to detecting a highest rate of change forexternal electronic device 104, electronic device 100 also detects thatthe user 301 has “stopped moving” when reaching electronic device 100.This confirms the device selection by electronic device 100, and furthereliminates potential issues of the user 301 passing closer to otherdevices before reaching the electronic device 100.

In a third embodiment, the confirmation operation 310 comprisesreceiving voice input 404 at an audio sensor, such as a microphone, atthe electronic device 100. Thus, in one embodiment the electronic device100 performs a control operation with an external electronic deviceselected as delivering a local area wireless communication signalexperiencing a highest change in power magnitude per period measurementonly after receiving the voice input 404.

Turning now briefly back to FIG. 1, once the pairing operation hasoccurred, other operations can occur. Illustrating by example, in thisembodiment electronic device 100 delivers 112 network communicationcredentials 113 to external electronic device 104. In this illustration,the network communication credentials 113 comprise a password orauthentication code that enables external electronic device 104 tocommunicate with communication hub 107. Other examples of additionaloperations will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 5, illustrated therein is one explanatory method 500in accordance with one or more embodiments of the disclosure. Beginningat step 501, the method 500 detects one or more external electronicdevices operating within an environment of an electronic device. In oneor more embodiments, this detection occurs by receiving one or morelocal area wireless communication signals from one or more externalelectronic devices operating within the environment of the electronicdevice.

At step 502, the method 500 includes detecting that a power magnitude ofat least one local area wireless communication signal is changing acrossan amount of time. This can be done, in one or more embodiments, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 3. Where multiple externalelectronic devices are operating within the environment of theelectronic device, step 502 can comprise detecting that power magnitudesof multiple received local area wireless communication signals arechanging in a measurement window. In other embodiments, the device maynot be already transmitting radio frequency signals. In this case, itcan be made to transmit radio frequency signals by the other device,such as when user presence is detected by either device via sound,vibration, light, thermal, camera, etc.

At step 503, the method comprises determining an amount of change in thepower magnitude of at least one local area wireless communicationsignals across an amount of time. Where multiple external electronicdevices are operating within the environment of the electronic device,step 503 can comprise determining the amount of change in the powermagnitudes of each received local area wireless communication signalacross the amount of time.

At step 504, the method 500 includes identifying at least one externalelectronic device delivering a local area wireless communication signalthat is experiencing a change in power magnitude across a period oftime. Where multiple external electronic devices are operating withinthe environment of the electronic device, step 504 can compriseidentifying an electronic device delivering a local area wirelesscommunication signal that is delivering a highest change in powermagnitude across time, and in particular the highest rate of change inpower amplitude per predefined interval of time. Said differently, wherethe power magnitudes of a plurality of local area wireless communicationsignals are changing, step 504 can include selecting a local wirelessarea communication signal experiencing a highest change from theplurality of local area wireless communication signals as the one localarea wireless communication signal.

At step 505, the method 500 includes optionally detecting a confirmationoperation after identifying occurring in step 504. In one embodiment,the confirmation operation comprises touch input received at a touchsensor. In another embodiment, the confirmation operation comprises acessation of the change in the power amplitude across a time measurementinterval of the local area wireless communication signal selected atstep 504. In still another embodiment, the confirmation operationcomprises audio input received at a microphone or other audio inputdevice. Still other examples of confirmation operations will be obviousto those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of thisdisclosure.

At step 506, the method 500 includes performing a control operation withthe external electronic device selected at step 504. In one embodiment,the control operation comprises a discovery operation. In anotherembodiment, the control operation comprises a pairing operation. Instill another embodiment, the control operation comprises acommunication operation. In embodiments where optional step 505 isincluded, the performance of the control operation at step 507 occursonly when the confirmation operation is detected at step 505.

At step 507, the method 500 optionally includes delivering data to theexternal electronic device selected at step 504. In one embodiment, thisstep 507 comprises delivering one or more electronic communicationcredentials to the external electronic device. Examples of electroniccommunication credentials include router passwords, network passwords,personal identification numbers (PINs), and so forth. Other examples ofdata that can be delivered to the external electronic device selected atstep 504 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure.

At step 508, the method 500 optionally includes notifying the user thatthe control operation was performed at step 506. Where, for example, thecontrol operation is a pairing operation, step 508 may comprisedelivering an audible alert, such as a “ping” sound, which indicates thepairing operation is complete. Alternatively, step 508 could comprisedelivering a text message or other alert to a companion device, such asa smartphone for example. Other types of notifications suitable for useat step 508 will be obvious to those of ordinary skill having thebenefit of this disclosure.

Turning now to FIG. 6, illustrated therein is an environment 600 aboutan electronic device 100 configured in accordance with one or moreembodiments of the disclosure. As described above with reference to FIG.2, in one or more embodiments the electronic device 100 includes awireless communication circuit (203) and one or more processors (201)that are operable with the wireless communication circuit (203).

In this example, a plurality of external electronic devices 102,103,104is operating within the environment 600 of the electronic device 100.Accordingly, the wireless communication circuit (203) of the electronicdevice 100 receives wireless communication signals 602,603,604 from eachof the external electronic devices 102,103,104. In one or moreembodiments, these wireless communication signals 602,603,604 eachidentify the external electronic device 102,103,104 that transmittedthem.

As described above, a power change determination circuit (210) of theelectronic device 100 can then determines how much each wirelesscommunication signals 602,603,604 changes across time. One or moreprocessors (201) can then identify an external electronic device havinga wireless communication signal experiencing the highest change in powermagnitude across an amount of measured time among those being receivedas one with which the electronic device 100 should perform a controloperation. As such, the one or more processors (201) can select awireless communication signal 604 having a power magnitude 605experiencing a highest amount of change 606 from the received wirelesscommunication signals 602,603,604.

In this illustrative embodiment, the wireless communication signal 604received from external electronic device 104 has a power magnitude 605experiencing the highest amount of change 606 due to the fact that auser 301 is moving 303 the external electronic device 104 towardelectronic device 100. The one or more processors (201) of theelectronic device 100 thus select external electronic device 104 as thatwith which a control operation should be performed. Note that thisselection is made despite the fact that the absolute power transmittedby the external electronic device 104 is less than the absolute powertransmitted by other external electronic devices, such as communicationhub 107.

In one embodiment, the electronic device 100 comprises one or moresensors, which are input components (207), and which are operable withthe one or more processors (201). In such an embodiment, the one or moresensors detect a confirmation operation 310 after the one or moreprocessors (201) select external electronic device 104 by detectingwireless communication signal 604 having a power magnitude 605experiencing a highest amount of change 606. Where a confirmationoperation 310 is employed, the one or more processors (201) ofelectronic device 100 perform the control operation only when the one ormore sensors detect the confirmation operation 310.

In this illustrative embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes atouch sensor 402. In this illustrative embodiment, the confirmationoperation 310 comprises receiving touch input 401 at the touch sensor.

In another embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes one or moremicrophones 601. Where this is the case, the confirmation operation 310can optionally include the receipt of voice input at the one or moremicrophones 601. In such an embodiment, the voice input can comprise acommand to perform the control operation. For example, if the controloperation is a pairing operation, the command can include the phrase“PAIR!” as shown in FIG. 4.

In another embodiment, the confirmation operation 310 can include acessation in the change in magnitude of the power being emitted by theexternal electronic device 104. The user 301 can cause this by stoppingthe movement 303 of the external electronic device 104 when it getsclose to the electronic device 100.

Regardless of whether the confirmation operation 310 is required, in oneor more embodiments the one or more processors (201) of the electronicdevice 100 cause the wireless communication circuit (203) to perform apairing operation with external electronic device 104, which wasidentified due to the wireless communication signal 604 emittedtherefrom had a power magnitude 605 experiencing a highest amount ofchange 606. Thereafter, the one or more processors (201) of theelectronic device 100 can cause the wireless communication circuit (203)to deliver one or more data messages 607 to the external electronicdevice 104.

Turning now to FIG. 7, illustrated therein are various embodiments ofthe disclosure. At 701, a method comprises receiving, with a wirelesscommunication circuit of an electronic device, one or more local areawireless communication signals from one or more external electronicdevices operating within an environment of the electronic device. At701, the method comprises determining, with one or more processorsoperable with the wireless communication circuit, a change in a powermagnitude of one local area wireless communication signal.

At 701, the method comprises identifying, with the one or moreprocessors, an external electronic device delivering the one local areawireless communication signal. At 701, where the change in the powermagnitude is positive, the method comprises performing a pairingoperation with the external electronic device.

At 702, when the power magnitudes of a plurality of local area wirelesscommunication signals are changing, the method of 701 further comprisesselecting a local wireless area communication signal experiencing ahighest change from the plurality of local area wireless communicationsignals as the one local area wireless communication signal.

At 703, the method of 701 further comprises detecting, with one or moresensors of the electronic device, a confirmation operation afteridentifying the external electronic device delivering the one local areawireless communication signal. At 704, the method of 703 performs thepairing operation with the external electronic device only when theconfirmation operation is detected.

At 705, the confirmation operation of 704 comprises touch input receivedat the electronic device. At 706, the confirmation operation of 704comprises a cessation of the change in the power magnitude of the onelocal area wireless communication signal. At 707, the confirmationoperation of 704 comprises audio input received at the electronicdevice. At 708, the method of 704 further comprises delivering one ormore electronic communication credentials to the external electronicdevice.

At 709, a device comprises a wireless communication circuit and one ormore processors operable with the wireless communication circuit. At709, the wireless communication circuit receives one or more local areawireless communication signals identifying one or more externalelectronic devices operating within an environment of the device.

At 709, one or more processors select a local area wirelesscommunication signal having a power magnitude experiencing a highestamount of change from the one or more local area wireless communicationsignals. At 709, the one or more processors perform a pairing operationwith an external device identified by the local area wirelesscommunication signal.

At 710, the device of 709 further comprises one or more sensors operablewith the one or more processors. At 710, the one or more sensors detecta confirmation operation after the one or more processors select thelocal area wireless communication signal. At 710, the one or moreprocessors perform the pairing operation only when the one or moresensors detect the confirmation operation.

At 711, the one or more sensors of 710 comprise a touch sensor. At 711,the confirmation operation comprises a receipt of touch input at thetouch sensor.

At 712, the one or more sensors of 710 comprise one or more microphones.At 712, the confirmation operation comprises a receipt of voice input atthe one or more microphones. At 731, the voice input comprises a commandto perform the pairing operation.

At 714, the conformation operation of 710 comprises a cessation ofchange in the power magnitude. At 715, the one or more processors of 710further cause the wireless communication circuit to deliver one or moredata messages to the external device.

At 716, a method comprises receiving, with a wireless communicationcircuit of an electronic device, one or more local area wirelesscommunication signals from one or more external electronic devicesoperating within an environment of the electronic device. At 716, themethod comprises determining, with one or more processors operable withthe wireless communication circuit, changes in power magnitudes of oneor more local area wireless communication signals.

At 716, the method comprises selecting a local area wirelesscommunication signal experiencing a highest change in power magnitude.At 716, the method comprises identifying, with the one or moreprocessors, an external electronic device delivering the local areawireless communication signal. At 716, the method comprises performing apairing operation with the external electronic device.

At 717, the method of 716 further comprises receiving touch input at asensor of the electronic device. At 717, the performing of the pairingoperation occurs after receipt of the touch input.

At 718, the method of 716 further comprises receiving voice input at asensor of the electronic device. At 718, the performing of the pairingoperation occurs after receipt of the voice input.

At 719, the method of 716 further comprises delivering networkcommunication credentials to the external electronic device. At 720, theelectronic device of 716 is devoid of a display.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the presentdisclosure have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure as set forthin the claims below. Thus, while preferred embodiments of the disclosurehave been illustrated and described, it is clear that the disclosure isnot so limited. Numerous modifications, changes, variations,substitutions, and equivalents will occur to those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure asdefined by the following claims. Accordingly, the specification andfigures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within thescope of present disclosure. The benefits, advantages, solutions toproblems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, orsolution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as acritical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all theclaims.

1. A method, comprising: receiving, with a wireless communicationcircuit of an electronic device, one or more local area wirelesscommunication signals from one or more external electronic devicesoperating within an environment of the electronic device; determining,with one or more processors operable with the wireless communicationcircuit, a change in a power magnitude of plurality of local areawireless communication signals; selecting, with the one or moreprocessors, a local wireless area communication signal experiencing ahighest change from the plurality of local area wireless communicationsignals as one local area wireless communication signal; identifying,with the one or more processors, an external electronic devicedelivering the one local area wireless communication signal; and wherethe change in the power magnitude is positive, performing a pairingoperation with the external electronic device.
 2. The method of claim 1,the one or more processors determining the change in the power magnitudeof the plurality of local area wireless communication signals across apredetermined amount of time.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising detecting, with one or more sensors of the electronic device,a confirmation operation after identifying the external electronicdevice delivering the one local area wireless communication signal. 4.The method of claim 3, the performing the pairing operation with theexternal electronic device occurring only when the confirmationoperation is detected.
 5. The method of claim 4, the confirmationoperation comprising touch input received at the electronic device. 6.The method of claim 4, the confirmation operation comprising a cessationof the change in the power magnitude of the one local area wirelesscommunication signal.
 7. The method of claim 4, the confirmationoperation comprising audio input received at the electronic device. 8.The method of claim 4, further comprising delivering one or moreelectronic communication credentials to the external electronic device.9. A device, comprising: a wireless communication circuit; one or moreprocessors operable with the wireless communication circuit; and one ormore sensors operable with the one or more processors; the wirelesscommunication circuit receiving one or more local area wirelesscommunication signals identifying one or more external electronicdevices operating within an environment of the device; and the one ormore processors selecting a local area wireless communication signalhaving a power magnitude experiencing a highest amount of change fromthe one or more local area wireless communication signals and performinga pairing operation with an external device identified by the local areawireless communication signal; and the one or more sensors detecting aconfirmation operation after the one or more processors select the localarea wireless communication signal, the one or more processorsperforming the pairing operation only when the one or more sensorsdetect the confirmation operation.
 10. The device of claim 9, theconfirmation operation comprising the one or more sensors detecting oneof a touch input or a stoppage of movement of the device.
 11. The deviceof claim 9, the one or more sensors comprising a touch sensor, theconfirmation operation comprising a receipt of touch input at the touchsensor.
 12. The device of claim 9, the one or more sensors comprisingone or more microphones, the confirmation operation comprising a receiptof voice input at the one or more microphones.
 13. The device of claim12, the voice input comprising a command to perform the pairingoperation.
 14. The device of claim 9, the confirmation operationcomprising a cessation of change in the power magnitude.
 15. The deviceof claim 9, the one or more processors further causing the wirelesscommunication circuit to deliver one or more data messages to theexternal device.
 16. A method, comprising: receiving, with a wirelesscommunication circuit of an electronic device, one or more local areawireless communication signals from one or more external electronicdevices operating within an environment of the electronic device;determining, with one or more processors operable with the wirelesscommunication circuit, changes in power magnitudes of one or more localarea wireless communication signals; selecting a local area wirelesscommunication signal experiencing a highest change in power magnitude;identifying, with the one or more processors, an external electronicdevice delivering the local area wireless communication signal;receiving voice input at a sensor of the electronic device; andperforming a pairing operation with the external electronic device, theperforming occurring after receipt of the voice input.
 17. The method ofclaim 16, further comprising delivering network communicationcredentials to the external electronic device.
 18. The method of claim16, the electronic device devoid of a display.
 19. The method of claim16, the voice, input comprising a command to perform the pairingoperation.
 20. The method of claim 16, further comprising delivering,with an output component, a notification that the pairing operation wasperformed.